Eight months since a violent storm flooded the homes of residents in Piha, west Auckland, they're still waiting for the Auckland Council to tell them whether they can return, or if their homes are condemned.
Some are still paying rates and mortgages for homes that aren't liveable while living in rentals elsewhere.
Joe Ward is a resident of Glenesk Rd, and said it feels like he and the other residents have been deserted by the council.
Mr Ward's house was first hit in February, when flash floods hit the Waitakere Ranges - then, just two months later, another torrential rainfall blocked off entry to his road.
He said he doesn't know whether his house will be condemned or whether he'll have to foot the bill to save it.
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Kim Kerrigan clung to a gate until the torrent overpowered her in her home. She said she was swept around the house and under it in the flood.
"I wasn't sure I was going to get out the other side," she explained.
"Fortunately I hit a cross-support under the house, and managed to hold onto that and get my breath."
The residents say the council's own report shows the area is unsafe to live in, with a flood event like this predicted annually.
Mr Ward said the "best-case scenario would be for the council and insurance companies to come to the party," for council to buy the property, or insurance to bail homeowners out.
"I mean, we just want a resolution where we're not gonna lose half a million dollars," he said.
Helensville MP Chris Penk said the council is treading carefully because it doesn't want to set a precedent on purchasing flood-prone land.
There are more than 100,000 homes in flood-prone areas across Auckland. The council said it's working through the options with property owners.
An engineering report it's commissioned is due at the end of the month, and residents hope that will spell the end of their limbo.
Newshub.
